HOW SUCCESSFUL FILMS ARE MADE IN ZURICH

F.l.t.r.: Christian Jungen, Corine Mauch, Bettina Oberli and Alain Berset at last year’s ZFF. © Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for ZFF

The Zürcher Filmstiftung and the Zurich Film Festival continue to pursue their joint aim: the second Zurich Film Day on Tuesday, September 28, once again focusses on Zurich as a centre of film production, and highlights the economic and social importance of filmmaking to both the city and canton by organising the second open-day ‘film stroll’ along the value chain of the filmmaking business. In addition, the ZFF will screen local films from its official selection and complete the day with the Zurich Film Night. Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) and the Zürcher Filmstiftung once more throw a spotlight on Switzerland’s movie-making capital on September 28: around two thirds of the country’s domestic filmmaking giants, including (post)production companies, distributors and cinemas, are based in Zurich. «Swiss films are on the rise internationally and many successful productions such as MY WONDERFUL WANDA by Bettina Oberli, THE AWAKENING OF MOTTI WOLKENBRUCH by Michael Steiner or EDEN FÜR JEDEN by Rolf Lyssy were developed, financed and shot in Zurich,» explains Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of the Zurich Film Festival. «The people appreciate local filmmaking, but still know too little about how much added value the film industry generates and how many jobs it creates. We want to change that with the Zurich Film Day.» As well as carrying Zurich stories out into the wider world, local productions and filmmaking as a cultural commodity and creative magnet in general makes a region more diversified, more attractive and contributes to a better quality of life, which is why the second Zurich Film Day offers the general public an opportunity to get up close and personal with all aspects of the filmmaking business. «The Zurich Film Festival draws attention to local filmmaking. Visitors who not only like to watch films but also want to know where and how they are made in the city of Zurich are cordially invited to take part in the Zurich ‘film stroll’,» emphasises Zurich’s mayor Corine Mauch. «The production of Swiss movies is only possible with the help of public funding,» adds Julia Krättli, Managing Director of the Zürcher Filmstiftung, «which is why we are delighted to collaborate with the ZFF and the participating organisations to offer the general public a behind-the-scenes peek at film production.» The Zurich Film Day centres around the Film Stroll, which leads visitors to various Zurich-based production companies and other enterprises that are essential to the local filmmaking scene. From financing to development, from production and post-production to distribution, the doers and makers of the Zurich film industry throw open their doors to offer a fascinating insight into the work they do. Visitors can, for example, discover how an animation film is made, learn how movies are planned, how they reach the final cut and even breathe in the sweet set air of film studios. The Film Stroll is free of charge and does not require a reservation. The following film industry players will be opening their doors to the public: Aaron Film GmbH, Abrakadabra Films AG, Andromeda Film AG, Ascot Elite Entertainment, Cinegrell GmbH, Condor Films AG, Contrast Film Zürich GmbH, Eis am See/Produktion, Filmgerberei GmbH, First Hand Films GmbH, Gentinetta Film, Glaus Casting, Great Garbo - Baldenweg, Magnetix Tonstudio AG, Maximage GmbH, Studio uuuh!, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürcher Filmstiftung Local cinemas will also screen various Zurich films from the ZFF programme throughout the day. The second Zurich Film Day will be rounded off by the now traditional Zurich Film Night, which aims to promote exchange between politicians and film-makers. The complete programme of the 17th Zurich Film Festival will be published on Thursday, September 9, from 12 noon at zff.com/en/ programme. It can also be viewed on the official festival app Tribo, where a personal festival programme can be compiled as well. Ticket sales start on September 13.